The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has announced that the UK's rail network has reached a record-breaking milestone, with over 1.5 billion passenger journeys made in the last year. This surpasses the previous record, set in 2019, and marks the highest number of journeys since records began in 1920.
The ORR attributed the growth in passenger numbers to increased investment in the rail network and a rise in demand for sustainable travel options. The organisation also highlighted the importance of investing in the rail network to meet growing demand and reduce congestion on the roads.
The news comes as the UK government continues to invest in the rail network, with plans to upgrade and expand services across the country. The ORR's report also highlights the need for further investment in the network to ensure it can meet the needs of the growing population.
Passenger numbers on the UK's rail network have been steadily increasing over the past decade, with the ORR reporting a 3% increase in journeys in the last year alone. This growth is expected to continue, with the ORR predicting that passenger numbers will increase by a further 10% in the next five years.
The ORR's data also reveals that the busiest stations on the network are London King's Cross, London Euston, and London Waterloo, with over 100 million passengers passing through these stations in the last year.